In Japan, the holiday card season isn't over. It's at its height right this very moment. I'm talking about nengajo, the New Year's postcard. These cards are a big deal. Oh, you don't think so? They are such a big deal that there are special slots on postboxes to accept them! They have their own special postage stamps! They are such a big deal that you can win prizes with them through lottery and design contests!
Japan has a culture of reciprocal politeness. (It's real nice, rest of the world, give it a try.) If you get a new year's card, you really do need to send one in return or you're kind of a jerk. The exemption is if there was a death in your family, but the rule is that people shouldn't be sending you cards if that happened in the first place. Instead, you should have sent a mourning card earlier in the season that informs people not to send you nengajo.
Don't know what to say in your new year's card? Here's a great guide to message and address etiquette. Also, a lot of people make their cards. I found multiple listings for art contests. Popular themes are zodiac and traditional nature imagery. While Christmas cards may arrive anytime from Thanksgiving to New Year's, nengajo are expected to be delivered precisely on January 1st. The post office begins accepting nengajo in early December. They give them a special cancellation and hold them for delivery on New Year's Day. They deliver them all in a big bundle which has to be a fantastic thing to receive.
Lovely. It makes me nostalgic for Japan. This is a beautiful post. Happy New Year!!
Posted by: Cynthia | December 29, 2017 at 05:06 PM
I went to Japan in October. and came back with a ton of stationery. The trip was long but worth it. I'm sure I will be going back next year 2019.
Posted by: Cyndi Fisher | January 02, 2018 at 02:19 PM